Mazamas Leader Profile

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Climbing Since: 1969

Mazamas Leader Since: 1973

Preferred Pace
(1-slow, 5-fast): 3-4

I Like Climbing On: Everything

Mazamas Service: Committees-Climb, Research, Financial Affairs, ICS Safety Review Team, Executive Council (twice). Mazamas President, 2006. BCEP Leader more times than I can count. Assistant Leader on Teton, Monte Cristo, North Cascades, 2000 Swiss, and Escalante Outings. Leader of 2003 Swiss Climbing/Hiking Outing.

Major Climbing Achievements: To somehow have managed to hang around long enough to currently be the third longest term Climb Leader in the Mazamas (the other two old goats show signs of slowing down.) The biggest achievement during this time is to have a very large group of the finest friends possible. My real goal in this sport is to not necessarily get to the top of the mountain, as desirable as that is, but to share adventures, have more fun than the law should allow and get everyone home in (mostly) one piece. Having climbed most every peak in the NW that anyone has ever heard of comes second. Receiving the 2004 Parker Cup for Outstanding Service was really a confirmation of how much fun it can be to work with good people that share your interests over a long period of time.

Climbing and Leadership Philosophy: After getting the obligatory “Major 16” out of the way, I have spent my time discovering the “lesser known” areas and peaks that are most often more fun and much less crowded. I love the challenge of first of all just trying to find the darn peak, and then trying to figure out some way to get to the top. The opportunity to see these beautiful sights, challenge myself and others physically, make friendships that last for years and safely return everyone home to be able to brag about yet another great experience in the outdoors is essential to maintaining some, arguable, degree of sanity. I love to give people the chance to see areas they otherwise would not have seen as well as help them accomplish things they never believed themselves capable of doing.

Favorite Summit Treat: I’ll eat anything that someone ELSE carries.

Personal Information: Semi-retired Analytical Chemist. A life-time resident of Salem. When not in the mountains, look for me on a road or mountain bike, downhill skiing, stuck in a slot canyon in S. Utah, or just home licking my wounds and packing for the next trip. Favorite quotation: “Climbing is just like having fun…only different!”